Intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plan optimization based at least on internal organ anticipated movement and/or expected deformation

Abstract

A method includes generating a nominal dose distribution based on an image and clinical goals. The method further includes generating a setup error dose distribution based on range and setup uncertainties. The method further includes generating a dose distribution for a parameter of an internal organ. The method further includes optimizing a planned dose distribution of an intensity modulated proton therapy plan by minimizing a total objective value including the nominal dose distribution, the setup error dose distribution dose distribution, and the dose distribution for the internal organ. The method further includes generating a final dose distribution for the intensity modulated proton therapy plan based on beam parameters of the optimized planned dose distribution. The method further includes controlling a proton therapy apparatus configured to deliver proton therapy based on the intensity modulated proton therapy plan with the optimized planned dose distribution.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The following generally relates intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), and more particularly to optimizing an IMPT plan based at least on internal organ anticipated movement and / or expected deformation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) uses a beam of protons to irradiate diseased tissue, e.g., in the treatment of cancer. Failing to account for errors such as range and setup uncertainties in the IMPT plan may result in a delivered dose distribution that is inferior to the planned dose distribution. Range uncertainty corresponds to the uncertainty of the location of the Bragg peak with respect to anatomical structures (i.e., the range of a proton beam in the patient). This uncertainty can be from the uncertainty in CT Hounsfield units and the conversion to stopping power, artifacts in the CT image, and geometric changes of the patient. Setup uncertainty is due to a positional shift of the patient, which may cause...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In one aspect, a method includes generating a nominal dose distribution based on an image and clinical goals. The method further includes generating a setup error dose distribution based on range and setup uncertainties. The method further includes generating a dose distribution for a parameter of an internal organ. The method further includes optimizing a planned dose distribution of an intensity modulated proton therapy plan by minimizing a total objective value including the nominal d...

Problems solved by technology

Failing to account for errors such as range and setup uncertainties in the IMPT plan may result in a delivered dose distribution that is inferior to the planned dose distribution.

This uncertainty can be from the uncertainty in CT Hounsfield units and the conversion to stopping power, artifacts in the CT image, and geometric changes of the patient.

Setup uncertainty is due to a positional shift of the patient, which may cause misalignment of dose contributions from...

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